Food with a Story

I think the mommy world can feel a little bit judge-y and competitive at times. This is somewhat supported by social networking sites like Facebook and Pinterest. Both provide a steady stream of mostly perfect or desirable images, cheerful status updates, and recent holidays and purchases. This can leave us wondering things like "Why don't I have the time/energy to spray paint pumpkins for Halloween?" or "Am I a horrible mother because I haven't signed my child(ren) up for a second language course/piano lessons/toddler expressive dance?" or "Why haven't I made a decortative box to store my nail polish in?" or "How come I'm not out for a super fun girls night?". To combat this self-doubt/anxiety I try to keep clear the things I like and the things I don't.

The things that bring joy to my life and allow me to feel fufilled are:-spending time with friends and family-recipe reading, cooking, blogging-talking, laughing and hearing people's stories (and telling my own)-working outside the home a few times a week-reading; specifically fiction and Macleans magazine-epidurals-trivia games-clean, clutter-free kitchen counters-pedicures

The things that I don't enjoy and seem to drain my energy or patience are:-cloth diapering-decorating my house for any holiday other than Christmas-crafting with very few exceptions-gardening and yard care-yoga-Twitter-working out at the gym-being super outdoorsy

The things that I am hoping to one day enjoy:- having a chaise lounger in our master bedroom-kayaking-knitting

This helps to remind me that I have things in my life that I love and that I am good at. There are things outside the realm of motherhood on my list. Being a mother isn't my only role or the only place I find fufillment. Once I admitted to my list of don't enjoy I was off the hook. No need to feel inadequate in those areas because I tried and they are not my thing. I also have some stuff to look forward to on the last list. Makes it real easy to keep my priorities straight.

Of course I still love Pinterest. I just like to point myself in the right direction, which is how I found the recipe for Cheesy Quinoa Bites.

This was popular with the whole family. Two and a half year old and seven month old devoured them. I got close to 24 bites. Great as leftovers and easy to double and freeze.

I hope you can take more joy in the things you love and drop the things you don't and feel good about it. I want to make it real clear it is not Martha Stewart Living over here....like you ever thought it was.

Funny you should write this post girlfriend, as I was/have been on the verge of this for a few weeks now...

So, instead of writing my own version of this, on my blog.. I'll just tag along here and just say...

The things that bring joy to my life and allow me to feel fufilled are:
-spending time with friends and family
-taking photos
-creating. anything. (including crafting)
-getting a coffee and driving around looking for different photo locations
-walking my dog
-spending literally HOURS a day in the bath, eating oranges and watching reality shows on laptop.
-reality singing shows. for real.
-spray painting, literally everything... including pumpkins :)
-shopping. especially online.

The things that I don't enjoy and seem to drain my energy or patience are:
-cloth diapering
-gardening and yard care
--recipe reading, cooking
-working out at the gym
-house work and organizing
-quarterly taxes or anything that involves thinking about finances
-planning meals, grocery shopping
-talking on the phone
-reading

The things that I am hoping to one day enjoy:
- massive month or more vacations to wherever we choose
- having Maisie around other kids without being paranoid of her getting sick (getting there)
- a perfectly organized house... that I didn't have to organize.

Thanks for the great post Tiff. oxox

Reply

Tiffany McFadden, RD

10/25/2012 03:27:27 pm

You are the yin to my yang EW! Thank god we have each other.

Reply

deanna

10/26/2012 06:40:50 am

haha you 2 are funny and this is so bang on!
i just reposted something like this a couple days ago and it got me thinking like this too.
i was fullfilled yesterday digging up lawn and replacing it with a place to grow food.
i am fullfilled getting buy one get one free chicken breasts at thrifty foods
i am fullfilled to know i am not going out to a party tonight, a girls night or a fancy dinner, i am going to put my pajamas on soon and do puzzles by the fire with my little one

things that drain me;
reading instructions
negative people

Simone

10/25/2012 02:32:56 pm

Great post Tif. Good food for thought for a new mom, I think I may need to make my own list to help prioritize tasks now that life has changed. Need to try the quinoa bites too....big quinoa fan right here:)

Reply

Marg

10/25/2012 02:34:31 pm

Thank you Tiffany! Ever read "The Happiness Project" ? Your post reminds me of it and my promise to do more of the things I love and not to stress about the gardening and whatever else is not getting done")
Thanks for the recipe too!

Reply

Tiffany McFadden, RD

10/25/2012 03:31:09 pm

I haven't read it, but have heard of it. Might have to add it to the list of books to read!

Reply

Lindsey

10/25/2012 10:32:10 pm

Tiff- I love that epidurals are on your "like" list. Mine, too!

Reply

Tiffany McFadden, RD

11/27/2012 07:03:11 am

Wouldn't have a baby without one!

Reply

Sarah

10/26/2012 11:08:59 am

I love this, it's so true and makes me feel better about things I don't like that I feel I should/have to like(cloth diapering). Thank you for posting this :-)